Not sure if this is the best way to do this, and if there is a better way im all ears but until we can find a better solution paypal me at knyck2@mac.com and record your donation here for record keeping, Not sure how this affects tax deductible status, but I'm willing to provide the paperwork to Noisebridge trustees to make it official once we get it done.

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Buy some drinks and either leave them on top and they'll be loaded in or if you're feeling ambitious load them in yourself.

== Purchase Info ==

== Purchase Info ==

Revision as of 22:16, 12 January 2011

This is the place to list any info about our imaginary vending machine.

Service manual for our vending machine (Dixie-Narco model DNCB 368)

How to contribute

Buy some drinks and either leave them on top and they'll be loaded in or if you're feeling ambitious load them in yourself.

Purchase Info

We bought the Machine from Gary (not sure of his last name)

We have a 90 day warranty starting 1/4/2011

Gary's number:

cell: 510-300-4836
office: 510-710-9126

Goals and Future

The goal of this project is to generate money to support noisebridge as well as give clarity and an obvious way to support to noisebridge to the "walk-in" crowd as well as the noisefolk.

Depending on the success of the soda machine it would be nice to have other premium vending machines that vend possibly healthy snacks, computer parts, arduinos etc.

Hacking

The vending machine speaks DEX/UCS protocol to a "handheld terminal." A quick search reveals that's a serial protocol at 9600 baud, most likely at TTL levels (NOT RS-232) on a 1/4 inch stereo jack. Details of the protocol were not easily found, and likely involve checksums and/or audit information. Not clear this is worth hacking as there are some indications this communication only happens in "service mode" when the door is open and thus simultaneous vending is not possible.

A possibly simpler hacking solution is to instrument the various switches and motors to get data directly.

This won't really help. Because of basic thermodynamics, the compressor needs to run a certain amount:
if the duty cycle is low enough to save energy, the drinks will be warm. Trust the thermostat! However,
a timer could possibly shift the time the compressor runs to put the noise in the wee hours of the morning.
Also, make sure any timer switch you use is rated for at least 11 amps, and I would say 15 to be safe! Jtfoote 05:27, 5 January 2011 (UTC)

Problem:Noise. And not the good kind. The "gets-really-annoying-really-fast" kind.

Possible solution: Don't buy a vending machine. Be responsible and pay existing bills instead. Or get a soda fountain for on-the-fly mixing of syrup and carbonated water.